The 2016 season was a banner year for the Pacific Coast League. It saw marked improvement in attendance numbers, fan experience, player development, stadium additions, and more. Here is a quick recap of the lower eight teams in the PCL from last season and what each can look forward to in 2017:
Pacific Coast League Preview: Part Two
9) Las Vegas 51s (New York Mets):
The campain was an up-and-down one for the 51s, with a very fluid roster of players moving between them and the parent club all season. With a record of 70-74 and a team percentage of .486, it’s apparent how injuries hurt both the Mets and the 51s, as players were stretched thin on both teams.
Talks are ongoing with 51s management to replace the ailing Cashman Field stadium, but so far no concrete plans are in place. With several key high-level additions to the roster from the Double-A club, some key free agent signings, and a new manager at the helm, the 51s are looking to challenge for a division title in 2017, with a possible return to the PCL Championship.
10) New Orleans Baby Cakes(nee Zephyrs) (Miami Marlins):
Several important players suffered injuries early in the season, and a few struggling players were sent down to Double-A. As a result, early expectations of an improved team slowly faded in the rear view mirror, and the team ending their season with a 69-70 record and a .496 average.
Attendance did increase by an average of nearly 1,500 people a game, due in part to several NOLA-centric team promotions. Recently re-branded as the New Orleans Baby Cakes, there’s been a lot of discussion on how cultural influences may or may not affect how a minor league team is seen in its region.
11) Sacramento River Cats (San Francisco Giants):
While they ended up in the bottom of the Pacific Northern division with a 69-75 record and a .479 team percentage, the River Cats enjoyed a slew of top-level players seeing major playing time in San Francisco this season. Another trade-off of their top players being called up is that the River Cats also saw increased attendance because of several All-Star-caliber Giants players going through long-term rehab stints with the team, including Hunter Pence.
With Raley Field getting new concession stands, expanded seating options, and new jumbo-sized video boards, the team is hoping to break a PCL attendance record this season.
12) Colorado Springs Sky Sox (Milwaukee Brewers):
Inclement weather at Security Service Stadium cut their season short by six games, three due to rain at the start of the season and three due to massive snowfall at the end. They finished with a 67-71 record and a .486 team percentage. But that shortening may have been in the Sky Sox’s favor, as it kept the team close to a .500 season, nearly 15 wins better than the 2015 campaign.
Talks are ongoing to move the team from Colorado Springs, possibly into San Antonio, but until the city can find the funds in its budget or bonds program, the Sky Sox are hoping that recent trades and promotions to increase attendance will be enough to keep the team in place.
13) Iowa Cubs (Chicago Cubs):
Iowa may have been overshadowed by the parent team’s chase for a World Series title, but don’t let the 67-76 record and team percentage of .469 fool you; the Cubs have lethal talent at all levels of their farm system. The 2016 season may not have gone their way in terms of a postseason run, but they showed stars can shine at any time, with a large amount of call-ups prior to season’s end.
Steady attendance can be attributed to a beautiful stadium built near the riverfront (Principal Park in Des Moines), non-stop Cubs-themed promotions, and the high level of talent the Chicago Cubs have accrued over the last few seasons.
14) Memphis Redbirds (St. Louis Cardinals):
Though the roster for the Redbirds remained steady in 2016, the first two months of the season were extremely rough; they amassed just over 25 wins prior to the All-Star Break. A late-season hot streak righted the ship, helping the team finish with a 65-77 record and a team percentage of .458. In fact, Memphis won 14 of its last 16 games, sweeping the league-leading Nashville Sounds, the Oklahoma City Dodgers, and the El Paso Chihuahuas in the final month of the season.
With a newly-unveiled and re-branded logo, Autozone Park upgrades, and remnants of the Triple-A Championship excitement in the air, the Redbirds are hoping to increase a league-low attendance figure in 2017.
15) Salt Lake Bees (Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim):
A hot streak through June was not enough to keep the Bees in first place, as new players, call-ups, and injuries slowly started showing their ugly sides. The Bees slowly wound down to a record of 63-79 and a team percentage of .444.
Devout Angels fans, however, did not let a failing season dampen their spirits, as the Bees posted a five-year attendance high point, with almost 500,000 visiting the scenic Smith’s Ballpark in Salt Lake City. Thanks to recent signings and trades in the offseason, the Bees are expecting a much better 2017.
16) Omaha Storm Chasers (Kansas City Royals):
Unfortunately, all races must end with someone in last place, which was not a high honor given to an otherwise talented Storm Chasers team. A depleted farm system kept the club at just a 58-82 record and a .414 percentage, and kept the Royals from a postseason run after having won the World Series in 2015.
With a few major trades under their belts, the Royals (and, in turn, the Storm Chasers) are counting on talented players recently acquired to turn things around this year.
If you missed Part One, you can find it here.
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